Using Suica on iPhone or Apple Watch in Japan

Riding transit and paying in stores has never been easier or more convenient. Learn where and how to pay with Suica on your iPhone and Apple Watch.

To use Suica with Apple Pay, you need an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus or later, or an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. You can also use an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, or Apple Watch Series 2 that was purchased in Japan. Learn how to set up your Suica card in Apple Pay.

Using your Suica card for transit

You can use Suica with Apple Pay for transit anywhere you can use a physical Suica card or where interoperable IC cards are accepted. If your Suica card is set as your Express Transit card, simply hold the top of your iPhone or Apple Watch within a few centimeters of the ticket gate scanner when you enter and exit. Your iPhone or Apple Watch must be turned on, but it doesn't have to be connected to a network. You don't need to wake or unlock your device or open an app when you enter or exit the ticket gates. You'll see Done and a checkmark on the display.

On iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, Express Cards with power reserve is available for up to five hours when your iPhone needs to be charged. You can press the side button to check if Express Cards are available when your iPhone needs to be charged. Doing this often may significantly reduce the power reserve for Express Cards. If you choose to power off your iPhone, this feature will not be available.

If your Suica card isn't set up for Express Transit, you need to use Face ID or Touch ID when you enter or exit the ticket gates. On Apple Watch, double-click the side button to access your cards, and swipe to select your Suica card. Then, hold the display up to the ticket gate scanner when you enter and exit.

You might need to have a station agent service your Suica card in Apple Pay. If you do, put your device into Service Mode before you hand it to the station agent:

On your iPhone, open Wallet, select your Suica card, tap , then open Service Mode.

For your Apple Watch, remove it from your wrist, enter the passcode to unlock it, and double-click the side button. Then, select your Suica card, firmly press the screen, tap Service Mode, and ask the station agent to hold your Watch with the display facing down.

Change your Express Transit Suica card

The first Suica card that you add to Wallet is your Express Transit card. If you add more Suica cards and want to change your Express Transit card, follow these steps.

Apple Watch

Choose a new card, then authorize by entering your passcode on your Apple Watch.

Using your Suica card in stores

Stores that accept Suica display the Suica payment mark.

You might need to select the Suica option on the terminal when you pay, or let the sales clerk know that you are paying with Suica.

If your Suica card is set as your Express Transit card, simply hold the top of your iPhone or the display of your Apple Watch within a few centimeters of the contactless reader until you see Done and a checkmark on the display. You don't need to wake or unlock your device or open an app to make the purchase.

On iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, Express Cards with power reserve is available for up to five hours when your iPhone needs to be charged. You can press the side button to check if Express Cards are available when your iPhone needs to be charged. Doing this often may significantly reduce the power reserve for Express Cards. If you choose to power off your iPhone, this feature will not be available.

If your Suica card isn't set as your Express Transit card but is set as your default payment card:

On your iPhone, use Face ID or rest your finger on Touch ID and hold the top of your phone within a few centimeters of the contactless reader until you see Done and a checkmark on the display.

On Apple Watch, double-click the side button and hold the display within a few centimeters of the contactless reader.

If your Suica card isn't set as your default payment card:

On your iPhone X or later, double-click the side button. On your iPhone 8 or earlier, hold the top of your phone near the contactless reader without resting your finger on Touch ID. When your default card appears, tap it, then tap the one that you want to use. To pay, use Face ID or rest your finger on Touch ID and hold the top of your phone within a few centimeters of the contactless reader until you see Done and a checkmark on the display.

On your Apple Watch, double-click the side button to access your cards in Apple Pay, then swipe to select your Suica card. To pay, hold the display of your Apple Watch within a few centimeters of the contactless reader.

Check the balance on your Suica card

On your iPhone, open Wallet, then tap your Suica card. Your current balance is displayed.

On your Apple Watch, open Wallet, tap your Suica card, and scroll down using the digital crown to see your current balance.

Recharge your Suica

To add money to your Suica, set up a supported credit or prepaid card in Apple Pay.

On your iPhone, open Wallet, tap the Suica card you want to add money to. Tap , tap Add Money, then choose the amount, and tap “Add”. Select the card you want to pay from and use Face ID or place your finger on Touch ID to complete the transaction.

On your Apple Watch:

Open Wallet.

Tap Suica card.

Tap Add Money, then follow the instructions on the screen.

Before you start your trip, make sure that you have enough money on your Suica card in Apple Pay for the entire journey. Or make sure that you have a credit or prepaid card in Apple Pay that you can use to pay the fare. Also, make sure that your battery has enough charge to last the entire journey.

Use the Suica app

When you download the Suica app, you can use it for additional services on your card. For example, you can:

Create a new Suica card

Create or change your commute plan

Buy a Shinkansen or Green Car ticket*

Set up auto-reload (using a View Card only)

Set or change the notifications that you get from JR East

* You can buy Shinkansen tickets for Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Hokkaido, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansens. You can buy Green Car tickets for JR East trains only.

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